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Even before the iPhone hit the marketplace, even before Steve Jobs confirmed its existence, the Internet was abuzz with the possibility of toying around with an Apple-branded cell phone. The fateful day came on June 29th of this year, treating Americans across the nation to a device that would marry their cell phone with their iPod. It’s a portable Internet device, a multimedia player, and a slick little puppy that has every fashionista clamoring for new cases and mods.
Even though the iPhone has now been unlocked — by a 17-year-old, no less — it is terribly unlikely that the Apple iPhone will ever officially make its way across the 49th parallel to Canada. Sure, a Canuck can hop across the border to an Apple Store to buy an iPhone directly, unlock it using the methods described by George Hotz, and use it with Fido or Rogers Wireless. Yes, it is possible, but very few people will want to do that.
The single biggest hurdle for Canadians is the price of wireless data. Even though AT&T subscribers to the south are stuck with EDGE for their iPhones (when they’re outside of a WiFi hotspot, anyways), at least they have plans that offer unlimited data. To use the iPhone is to use wireless data and without that, it’s just an overpriced piece of jewelry that can play music.
Look at the price of data at Rogers Wireless. If you sign up for a BlackBerry plan, you can get a single megabyte for $25. Even if you up the ante to $40, you’re still restricted to just 7MB. In order to get 200MB, it’ll cost you $100 a month. And that’s in addition to any voice minutes, voicemail, caller ID, and other options that you may consider. That’s far too expensive, especially if you intend on using mobile YouTube.
Compare that to the recently leaked information concerning the Germany-bound iPhone. We hear that it’s going to go beyond EDGE to offer users high-speed UMTS/HSDPA data as speedy as 3.6Mbps. We hear that it’s going to go beyond a mere eight gigs of internal memory to bring a full 16GB. All this for 499 Euros. And their plans WILL come with unlimited data along with a bevy of minutes for as little as 49 Euros a month. Just not possible in Canada.
In order for the Apple iPhone to make it to Canada, one of two things must happen:
1. Rogers Wireless — which owns Fido, the only other major GSM provider in Canada — will have to lower their data price plans substantially, offering unlimited data for a reasonable rate.
or
2. Canada will need to open up to more GSM providers. That, or a CDMA iPhone will have to be developed that can work with Bell Mobility or Telus Mobility. This will hopefully open up the competition for data rates, paving the way to a Canadian iPhone.
But I’m not going to hold me breath over this. Which is too bad, because Apple could make some serious coin selling the iPhone north of the 49th parallel.
I didn’t realize data plans were that restricted and expensive in Canada. It’s a big shame.
Yeah, CDN Data Plans SUCK big time! The carriers have no concept of how much people would actually use it and embrace it if they had decent plans that encouraged people to subscribe to them.
Booo-hooo, snif :°(
I’d love an iPhone. Can’t stand my Treo 650 anymore.
I don’t know about Telus Mobility but Bell Mobility have higger rate than Fido. 60$ for a meg ! But, 2 years ago, when I buy my plan with Bell, I receive FREE (like in beer) Illimited internet access with my PPC6600 with BELL. Now, I want to renew 60$ a Meg. Get lost I got a regular Photo phone and looking for a decent PocketPC !
I’m pretty sure that we’ll see an iPhone from Rogers before Christmas and it will include a wireless voice and data plan similar to the ones Apple imposed on AT&T. Do you think that AT&T volunteered to offer $59 for 450 minutes and unlimited data? Forget about it. Apple IMPOSED those voice/data plans on AT&T.
Apple isn’t stupid. They aren’t going to introduce the iPod to Canada only to let Rogers charge $300 a month in data fees. That would totally destroy the launch. And make no mistake, Rogers wants the iPhone because it is a major “in your face” to Telus and Bell.
Clearly something needs to change with wireless data fees in Canada, and I think that Apple just might have to clout to get it done…
@Casey
That is very true and I do see that happening since that is what businesses love to do whenever they can.
Do you guys have ATT in Canada? I don’t think so but thought I would check…
@Stephen
Totally right there, I have a rodgers plan and it feels like I am getting owned every time I pay my bill. I get 250 “anytime” minutes + unlim after 8PM till 8AM, 1000 minutes of in-network calls, Caller ID. All for the crapy price of 43$ a month. I wish we had good cell service here but all the damn plans are trying to shaft us.
@Ty
No ATT here, not for cells at least.
“Sure, a Canuck can hop across the border to an Apple Store to buy an iPhone directly, unlock it using the methods described by George Hotz, and use it with Fido or Rogers Wireless. Yes, it is possible, but very few people will want to do that.”
SO WRONG!!!! Many people are actually doing this, just check Howard forums, Engadget….
My intention is to get to NYC, buy an 8gig 4 $400. get help for the George Hotz method of unlocking, install my Rogers SIM card, see that it works and then THAT’S IT. Rogers can kiss my *** and take my 80$ per month times 12 months times 9 years that I’ve suffered with them and use that $9000.00 for another golf game for Nadir & Ted.
While there is no AT&T directly in Canada, my understanding is that Rogers wireless services are partially owned by AT&T (although I heard rumours that they had sold off that part).
So is there AT&T? Not directly, at least not any more, but I believe that they live on as part of Rogers Wireless…
Apple will wait until the 3G iPhone is out before coming to Canada.
Apple will then get Telus and Bell to outbid each other to be the iPhone carrier. I can see Telus coming up with the cheapest iPhone plans because Telus has the most to gain from the iPhone.
I just unlocked my iphone & now can “stick it to the man, Ted Rogers! Unfortunately the biggest problem in Canada is consumer . We let these bandits stiff us, including all levels of Governments. The Japanese have a saying, “You are only as good as your competition”. Unfortunately for Canada we have no competition. As a result, we are (rapidly) heading for third world status!
Buy your iPhone across the border or from Europe when the new iPhone releases. Unlock it & buy the cheapest plan. Use wifi mode for data.
We are getting tired of waiting. Looks like sales are going to RIM.
The cellular companies pretty much have a monopoly in Canada especially when it comes to GSM. As the article points out there were 2 GSM carriers in Canada but the stupid CRTC the equivalent of the FCC allowed one to by the other (Rogers Wireless bought out Microcell Telecommunications Communications). Soon after that Microcell wireless packages started to resemble Rogers Wireless, wireless packages in price… Microcell who had never even offered “Contract Plans” started to encourage customers to sign up for contract plans. Years ago Microcell used to offer a $50.00/month unlimited data plan it has now been replaced by the same 200MB/$100month data place that Rogers offers.
It also doesn’t help that Canada has a meagre 35 million people
“heading for third world status” (@ Terry)? IMHO, Canada is already there. I recently had to check one web-site from Roger’s phone. Being new to Canada, unaware of prices and lacking time to check, I thought it should be average And with 5c per kb rate got $400 bill. For example, it’s $0,02 in eastern europe.
Any way to change something in Canada?
I seriously don’t give a shit any mopre to be honest. I have been a long time user of all things Apple. If Apple does not want my money for a Canadian iPhone, then **** ‘em. I’ll just use this shitty telus piece of shit that has shit for connection and squat for options.
I think the iphone would do well in Canada however there are always hurdles with getting any new US electronics gadget into Canada. Just take Sirius/XM satellite radio for example, there were illegal users of those way before they were finally allowed in the country. Since the iphone has been cracked users should be able to find a way to use them if they really want one.